In a highly anticipated showdown, the top-ranked Nebraska Huskers and the second-seeded Texas Longhorns are gearing up to face off in the NCAA National Final on Sunday. This exciting matchup marks the third time these two powerhouse programs have met in the title match, adding extra significance to the forthcoming clash.

The Huskers secured their spot in the championship game after a dominant sweep of Pittsburgh, earning them a remarkable 11th appearance in the final. Led by AVCA National Coach of the Year, John Cook, Nebraska is determined to bring their best performance to the court for this crucial moment. With a stellar record of 33-1 this season, the Huskers are only one win away from breaking their program's record set back in 2000.

On the other side of the net, the defending national champions, the Texas Longhorns, are coming off a hard-fought victory against Wisconsin in four sets. With a season record of 27-4, Texas clinched the Big 12 title in their final year before moving to the SEC. Head coach Jerritt Elliott expressed his enthusiasm for this iconic matchup, highlighting the excitement of seeing Texas and Nebraska face off on ABC for the first time. Elliott acknowledges Nebraska's talented young players and expects a fierce battle on the court.

Nebraska and Texas have a long history of rivalry, having faced each other 57 times before. Of those matches, the Huskers have emerged victorious in 33 encounters. Interestingly, the two teams have clashed six times in the NCAA tournament since 2009, adding more intensity to their already heated competition.

Notably, the last time these two teams met in the postseason as members of the same conference was in 2009, when Texas triumphed over Nebraska in four sets in Omaha. The Longhorns made history during that season by becoming the first team in the NCAA era to defeat Nebraska volleyball three times in one season. Another standout moment was in 2013, when top-seeded Texas overpowered eighth-ranked Nebraska in Lincoln in straight sets.

However, the Huskers got their revenge in 2015 when they secured a sweeping victory for the national title, led by former setter and current assistant coach, Kelly Hunter. The following season saw Texas emerge triumphant with a sweep in the national semifinals.

These two teams also had a recent encounter during the 2020 (spring 2021) season, where Texas clinched a four-set victory in the regional finals. However, Nebraska bounced back months later, stunning Texas with an upset win in Austin during the same round.

The stage is now set for their latest clash as Nebraska and Texas take the court on Sunday at 2 p.m. CST. Volleyball fans across the nation can catch the action live on ABC, as well as tune in to the Huskers Radio Network, including B 107.3 FM in Lincoln, to follow every thrilling moment of this highly anticipated national final.